401From George Washington to John Hancock, 7–9 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the 26 Ulto I had the honour of addressing you and then mentioned that we were making preparations for taking possession of Dorchester Heights. I now beg leave to Inform you, that a Council of General Officers having determined a previous Bombardment & Cannonade expedient and proper, in order to harrass the Enemy and divert their attention from that Quarter, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday...
402From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured Yesterday with your favor of the 7th with Its Inclosures. When Doctr Potts arrives I shall order him to Canada or Lake George, as may appear most proper. It is certainly necessary that he or Doctr Stringer shou’d go to the former. The Resolve respecting Genl Wooster’s recall, I will immediately Transmit him, with directions to repair hither without delay. The situation of our...
403From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday Morning favoured with yours of the 17th, accompanied by Several Resolutions of Congress, and Commissions for Officers appointed to the late Vacancies in this Army. I wrote some days ago to Genl Schuyler, to propose to Genls Carleton & Burgoyne an Exchange of prisoners in consequence of a former Resolve of Congress authorizing their Commanders in each Department to negociate...
404From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I received your favors of the 7th & 10th instant with the Resolves of the Honble Congress, to which I will pay all due attention—As Soon as two Capable persons Can be found, I will dispatch them to Nova Scotia, on the Service resolved on in Congress —the Resolve to raise two Battallions of marines will (if practicable in this Army) entirely derange what has been done; it is therein mentiond...
405From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon the representation of Mr Morey that two Negro Men belonging to him, were detained as Soldiers in the Massachusett’s Line, contrary to his inclination, I gave directions to Brigadier General Glover to appoint a Board of Officers to enquire into the Justice of his claim, and to report the facts with their opinion thereon—A Copy of the Report I now do myself the honor to inclose to You. As...
406From George Washington to John Hancock, 11 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday waited upon by two French Gentlemen Monss. Romand de Lisle and Robillard. The first produced a Commission signed by you in Novemr last appointing him a Major of Artillery, but by the inclosed Letter from him to me, he claims much higher Rank, under the promise of Congress, that of Commandant of the Continental Artillery. Whether any such promise was made, I leave you to...
407From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, 22 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I left camp last evening and came to this city to superintend the collection of blankets and cloathing for the army. Mr. Lovel sends to inform me there is an express going off to Congress, and I do myself the honor to communicate a brief state of things, when I left camp. The enemy moved yesterday from where they lay opposite to valley forge &c. higher up the river on their old scheme of...
408From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this moment received by Express from Genl Schuyler an account of the melancholy prospect and reverse of our affairs in Canada: and presuming that the Letters which accompany this, will give Congress full information upon that Subject, I shall only add, that Genl Schuyler in pursuance of Orders from the Honble Commission[e]rs has directed Brigr Genl Sullivan to Halt his Brigade, as a further...
409From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will be deliver’d you by Jonathan Eddy Esq. the Gentlemen from Nova Scotia who I mention’d to you in mine of the 27th Ulto. He seem’d desirous of waiting on the Honorable Congress in Order to lay before them the state of public Affairs, and situation of the Inhabitants of that Province; and as it might be in his power to communicate many things personally, which could not be so...
410From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this Minute received your favor of this Afternoon transmitting intelligence that a Fleet was seen off Sinapuxon on the 7th Inst.—I was about three Miles Eastward of the Billet Tavern, on the Road leading to Coriels ferry when the Express arrived. The Troops are encamped near the Road, where they will remain till I have further Accounts respecting the Fleet, which you will be pleased to...
411From George Washington to John Hancock, 12–13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 10th accompanied with one from the Committee of Congress, to whom I have wrote very fully upon the subject of the Resolve for forming an Army upon the West side of Delaware and to which I refer you. I wish I could see any prospect of an Army, fit to make proper opposition, formed any where. You will perhaps be surprized at this, after the public Reports of the...
412From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inform you, that I arrived here on the 28th at Night with Genl Green’s Division, One Brigade of which passed the River that Evening, that the Whole might encamp more commodiously. Genl Stephen with his own and Lincoln’s Division also arrived, a little time after, at Howel’s Ferry—four Miles above this. I have thought proper to halt the whole Army at these Two places &...
413From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night had the Honor of your Favor of the 17th with Its Inclosure. You will perceive by my Letter of yesterday, transmitted by favor of the Marquis De la Fayette, that I had been so happy, as to anticipate the views of Congress by ordering Colo. Morgan to march with his Corps to the Northern Army. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Yr Most Obedt servant LS , in Robert Hanson...
414From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed you by Captn Marquisie, with whom I have no other acquaintance than what is derived from the Inclosed Letter from Genl Schuyler. He says he has lost his Baggage in our service and All he had. I have advanced him Twenty Dollars and he is now Going to Wait on Congress to whom I suppose he means to make his pretensions known. I have the Honor to be Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt LS ,...
415From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of Yesterday with Its inclosures, I received last Night. By this Conveyance I shall not send a particular Answer. The Enemy are in motion & a body is advancing from Milstone towards Vanbecters Bridge—Another division is on the Road leading towards Coriels ferry. We are packing up & making every preparation to act as circumstances shall seem to require. I have the Honor to be with...
416From George Washington to John Hancock, 4–5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor to address you on the 30th Ulto, I transmitted a Copy of a Letter I had received from a Gentleman, a member of the Honble Genl Court, suggesting the improbability of Succours coming from thence in any reasonable time either for the defence of this place, or to reinforce our Troops engaged in the Canada expedition. I am sorry to Inform you that from a variety of...
417From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 18th & 19th with which you have been pleased to honor me, have been duly received with the Several Resolves alluded to. When the Letter and Declaration from Lord Howe to Mr Franklin and the other late Governors come to be published I should suppose the warmest Advocates for dependance on the British Crown must be silent, and be Convinced beyond all possibility of doubt, that...
418From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
the information Containd in the above comeing So Many different ways, Corroborated by Severall vessells haveing Salid this day from Boston, I thought it my duty to transmit it to you, tho Halifax is the place given out for their destination, it is possible they may be bound else where, I Shall communicate this inteligence to Governors Cooke & Trumbull, & to the Convention of Newyork for their...
419From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to forward you a packet which just came to my hands from Genl Schuyler. In his letter to me he communicates an agreeable account of the face of Affairs at Fort Schuyler, I therefore do myself the pleasure of inclosing you an extract. I have the Honor to be Sir Your obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 152; copy, DNA:PCC , item 169. This letter and...
420From George Washington to John Hancock, 26 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your favors of the 20th & 24th and am happy to find my Answer to Ld Drummond has met the approbation of Congress. whatever his views were, most certainly his conduct respecting his parole is highly reprehensible. Since my Letter of the 24th, All most the whole of the Enemies fleet have fallen down to the Narrows, and from this circumstance—the Striking of their...
421VII: Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honor of addressing you this morning, I mentioned, that the Enemy were advancing and had began a Canonade; I would now beg leave to inform you, that they have kept up a brisk fire from their Artillery ever since. Their advanced party was attacked by our light Troops under Genl Maxwell, who crossed the Brandiwine for that purpose and had posted his Men on some high Grounds on...
422From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor of addressing you last, I hoped the Intelligence received respecting our Affairs in the Northern Department was not true, or at least, that they were not so unfavourable, as they were then represented; But the inclosed Copy of a Letter from Genl Schuyler, which came to hand Yesterday Evening, confirms it most unhappily for us in its fullest latitude. This Event, (the...
423From George Washington to John Hancock or Any Member of the Continental Congress, 22 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Hancock or Any Member of the Continental Congress, 22 Sept. 1777. Elbridge Gerry in his letter to GW of 24 Sept. referred to “your Letter of the 22d directed to the President or any Member of Congress.”
424From George Washington to John Hancock, 10–11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday Evening, I received the honor of your Letter of the 7th with its several Inclosures. The providing of suitable Quarters for the Troops during the Winter, demands our Attention; but I confess, it is difficult to say, where they will be. Sundry circumstances may occur in the course of the Campaign, to render any Provision, which might now be thought of altogether improper. In...
425From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Monsr Coudré is just arrived at Camp, and proposes to set out to Morrow for Philadelphia. What his views are, I am uncertain, having had no conversation with him upon the Subject; but I find, an Idea prevails, that there is an Agreement between Mr Dean & him, that he shall have the cheif command of the Artillery. How well founded this Opinion may be, I cannot determine; but if it be true, it...
426From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon, I had the honour to receive your Favours of the 30th Ulto with their Inclosures. I was much obliged by the Accounts from the Northern Army, tho’ in general they had reached me before, and I flatter myself we shall soon hear, that they have been succeeded by other fortunate and interesting Events, as the Two Armies by General Gates’s Letter were encamped near each other. I...
427From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Yesterday with its several Inclosures came to hand last night. Though I would willingly pay every attention to the Resolutions of Congress, Yet in the late instance, respecting the recall of Genl Sullivan I must beg leave to defer giving any order about It, till I hear further from that Honble Body. Our situation at this time is critical and delicate, and nothing should be done...
428From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Thursday Morning General Howe advanced with his Whole Army in several Columns from Amboy, as far as Westfeild. We are certainly informed, that the Troops, sent to Staten Island, returned the preceding Evening, and it is said with an Augumentation of Marines—so that carrying them there was a feint with intention to deceive us. His design in this sudden movement was either to bring on a...
429From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I find I shall be under the necessity of drawing down all the Continental Troops which are at present upon the Northern frontiers, and as there is very great reason to apprehend an incursion of the Enemy from Canada, I shall be obligd to keep a respectable force of Militia in that quarter, in addition to the State Troops of New York; I have therefore taken the liberty to order the quotas from...
In my Negociations with M r . Gardoqui I experience certain difficulties which in my Opinion should be so managed, as that even the Existence of them should remain a Secret for the present. I take the Liberty therefore of submitting to the Consideration of Congress whether it might not be adviseable to appoint a Committee with power to instruct and direct me on every point and Subject relative...
431From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I could not suffer Mr Randolph to quit this Camp with out bearing some testimony of my duty to the Congress, although his sudden departure (occasioned by the death of his worthy relative, whose loss as a good Citizen, and valuable member of Society is much to be regretted) does not allow me time to be particular. The Inclosed return shews at one view what reliance we have upon the Officers of...